A rambling train of thoughts about the universe and our micro solar system consisting of our dear Sun and other planets in a magnetic dance while we hurtle through space on the face of a rock and stare at flat screens where we attempt to connect while we detach.

Last but not least,
Art Bell's theme song, performed as only Crystal Gayle can...
Link from YT, wow...

my notes:wanted to tell Mom all day,She loved to hear about what Art Bell was covering.Still thinking of Mom, while Mom is gone,I will dedicate this to her, and Dad, together again.Fred and I listened to many many shows, reruns, always great.We look forward to tuning in again.meg

Wow! Would you look at those headlines? What an exciting day of action for a just livable planet yesterday in Vermont and New York. Check out the Rising Tide Vermont Facebook page for photos and follow the links below for some of the media coverage of the actions.

And remember - the action isn't over until everyone is out of court/jail, so please donate to the legal fund (http://bit.ly/1GjgsNv) if you can.

Democracy Now "9 Arrested in Anti-Fracking Actions in Vermont, New York"

Regulator rethinking gas pipeline

Posted on June 25,
2015 |

MONTPELIER
— Opponents of Vermont Gas Systems natural gas pipeline said Tuesday that the
expensive project is no longer necessary because technological advances have
obviated the need for the product.

The
comments came as the Vermont Public Service Board on Monday and Tuesday held
technical hearings on whether to revoke the permit it granted to Vermont Gas for
a 41-mile natural gas pipeline from Colchester to Middlebury. The hearings were
called to reconsider the Phase 1 permits due to significant cost increases.

Witnesses
who testified against Vermont Gas said cold climate heat pumps are an efficient
alternative heating source, home heating oil prices are low, and NG Advantage
can send natural gas on tractor-trailer trucks to industrial customers who still
want the gas.

The
Public Service Board argued in October that an economic boost was one of the
main benefits of the pipeline.

Vermont
Gas put its top executives on the witness stand during the first day of hearing
Monday. On Tuesday public advocates brought in witnesses who criticized both the
pipeline extension project and the calculations that the company has used to
justify the efficacy of the pipeline.

The
price when the Public Service Board approved the project on Dec. 23, 2013, was
$86.6 million. The new cost estimate stands at $153.6 million to build the
transmission pipeline — not including distribution costs that the company said
Monday would be $5.8 million plus $1,600 per new customer.

Vermont
Gas started construction between Colchester and Middlebury last summer, just
months before the first price increase was announced. About six miles have been
completed in Chittenden County, according to the company’s April cost update
report, and $61.5 million of the budget has been spent.

From
here, the quasi-judicial Public Service Board can issue an order to keep the
project going, or make the company re-argue for its state permit, called a
certificate of public good. In October, the board went through an identical
series of hearings but ultimately decided the project was still a benefit to the
public. This week, they appeared to be more skeptical.

“I’m
pleased that we had the chance to present our case,” said Vermont Gas President
and CEO Don Rendall. “We’ll proceed in accordance with the board’s order when
the order comes out. We’re presenting the facts as they are and doing it in as
open, direct and transparent way as we can.

“I’m
confident that our estimate is reliable,” Rendall said. “I’m confident that it
was estimated as effectively as it could be.”

Bristol
attorney Jim Dumont, who represents AARP and Kristin Lyons, pressed the Public
Service Department on several points. The department’s job is to represent the
public interest in utility cases, and the department disagreed with Dumont’s
arguments that alternative energy sources are more cost-effective than natural
gas service.

Natural
gas distribution, Dumont argued, only has about a 25 percent cost advantage over
a cold-climate heat pump. He argued that industrial customers don’t need natural
gas through a pipe because they can get it trucked in by NG Advantage.

James
Volz, the chair of the Public Service Board, also pressed on compressed natural
gas — the type of gas service that is being trucked to a so-called gas island in
Middlebury for customers including Agri-Mark’s Cabot cheese plant.

Volz
said the board should consider the gas island and natural gas infrastructure as
a “sunk cost” that companies won’t get their money back from whether the
pipeline is built or not.

Asa
Hopkins, the director of energy and policy planning for the Public Service
Department, said the efficiency of cold-climate heat pumps depends a lot on how
people use them and various weather conditions, among other things.

Hopkins
said he did not change his methods to account for compressed natural gas because
it was an unjustified, much more sweeping change to the economic modeling than
changing fuel prices or costs.

Hopkins
was the sole witness representing the Public Service Department, and he
reiterated the department’s position that the project is still in the public
good. “There is no call for a re-opened proceeding,” he said.

Reached
by phone, Chris Recchia, commissioner of the Public Service Department, said
that the department used numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration
that are “the most credible numbers allowable.”

“All
modeling is a matter of what assumptions you use, and we think we’ve used some
very credible assumptions,” Recchia said. “[Hopkins] didn’t have a particular
objective to come to a particular conclusion.”

HEAVY-HITTING
ECONOMIST

David
Dismukes, an economist from Louisiana State University, was Tuesday’s major
witness. AARP flew him to Vermont to defended his economic modeling, which
projects up to $200 million in lost economic activity and 3,650 lost jobs across
Vermont over a 70-year period.

Dismukes’
low-ball numbers were about $100 million in lost economic activity and 1,500
lost jobs across Vermont in a 20-year period. He also told the board that
regulators need to address risk that utility companies put on ratepayers during
capital projects like pipelines.

“Their
shareholders are going to be the ones who make that money,” Dismukes said of
Vermont Gas’ profits. “The ratepayers are going to be the ones who pay for it. …
The key to this is who bears the risk in all this.”

Hopkins,
a physicist who serves as an energy planner for the Public Service Department,
analyzed parts of Dismukes’ analysis during his own testimony. Hopkins said
Dismukes had valuable insight but overestimated employment losses.

“His
analysis assumes some continuing job loss through time, as does ours, and I
think it is actually appropriate to recognize that ongoing effect,” Hopkins
said. “The main difference as I see it … is in the question of the overall scale
and whether the results meet with a common-sense test in terms of the size of
the impact.”

Dismukes
said the economy would lose job opportunities to a pipeline that delivers fuel
instead of delivery truck drivers.

“I
like to characterize them more as ‘employment opportunities’ as opposed to
‘jobs,’” Dismukes said. “If my business goes down for five years, there are
fewer employment opportunities for five years.”

Lawyers
for Vermont Gas, whose experts used different modeling that projects a net
benefit from the $153.6 million project, also questioned Dismukes. They said
Dismukes didn’t account for delivery drivers finding new jobs.

The
board has the power to halt the pipeline construction. ... He said economic
benefit is not the right reason to approve a natural gas pipeline, but
he ...

compatriot notes:"We
also believe the natural gas pipeline project will help stimulate the economy in
Vermont and enhance the state’s ability to attract new business and jobs to the
area."PROVE IT!What has Cabot done with their fuel cost
savings?

Good
start on your pr campaign. No to fracking is how Monkton,Vermont voted. My fight
is over land rights, Canadian owned utility monopoly in Vermont, a short sighted
Vermont public service board And selectmen, limited service offered with maximum
environmental risk, $150+ million price for 3000 hookups (other ratepayers
pay-many elderly). Oh, the original proposal said IP in NY would pay $40
Million. No more. Call us names, tear apart our arguments against high Pressure
nG Transmission lines when pipefitters on crack were Caught in northern Vermont.
We value our beautiful pristine state. With nG prices rising, the urgency To
build a pipeline (which is secretly headed to big cities like NYC) is clear.
Hopefully It will never happen.

MONTPELIER,
Vt. (AP) — The president of Vermont Gas Systems told ... cost forecast for a
pipeline expansion in western Vermont is accurate now, even ...
tremendous expense of the continued reliance on natural gas," said
Sandra ...

NASA's New Horizons: A Heart from Pluto

Lake Champlain

the challenges of freedom

My words were simply, "I cannot comprehend this." when told an excuse that my absentee ballot hadn't been mailed because.....I lost the rest. I filled out the absentee ballot form. Finally I wrote to the town front porch forum. Here it is:

School Revote

MARY GERDT

I did not receive an absentee ballot for the recent revote of the school vote. Apparently none were sent? Or did you receive one and mine was omitted? I prefer to vote at home. I signed the paper for absentee ballots. The Secretary of state said it is up to me to enforce the election rules. It is up to me to ask the town clerk to explain, go to court if need be. No, my body cannot take any more of that. My vote was not counted. If you like that policy, carry on. Just don't presume to know all the reasons I do not want to vote out in public. I thought that is what absentee ballots were all about.

update 5.19.15 follow up post to front porch forum

Several issues back I inquired if others in Monkton did not receive absentee ballots for the town school budget re-vote. I got no response. I do not interpret that as apathy or a conspiracy against me, although I am sorely tempted to take the easy way out. It is stuck in my craw, the assistant town clerk (why did we need an assistant?) said we talked it over and it was too late to send the absentee ballots out. Now I will reiterate I do not have the energy to fight this town over not being able to vote on a budget that affects the taxation on our property. I will submit to the reader that if you tolerate this, it is a slippery slope. Oh, and fair warning: when you fill out the form from the Secretary of State of Vermont for absentee voting for the year, and send it to the Town clerk or assistant, don't expect that you will receive the ballots as requested. Then when you don't, guess "they" decided there wasn't enough time. My vote was never counted.

What if you could help tell the history of 1960's #NYC #GreenwichVillage? You can, See Richard...

Monkton Chronicles

Monkton Chronicles,

November 2016

Thanksgiving Week

It's been 7 months since I have put out an article about this town. Pipeline Fighters, Political Sparring, Health and Fatigue have dominated my summer. Now Summer and Fall are behind us. The first snow a gentle morning. A new America is forming, baby boomers aging, parties losing, party winning. Not worth crying about, little snowflakes, we all melt away in the end. We scraped up what silver we had to pay the taxman. Narrowly paid, avoiding being pinched by zero tolerance tax collectors. shortly after that our 11 year old pellet stove died. It was a good run. Fred and son installed our new stove. toasty warm. hopefully you are warm wherever you are. best wishes, meg

April 2016

4.30.16

I have neglected my lonely Chronicles, Times are tough in this idyllic state of chaos. Vermont, of course, is what I mean. Vermont and Vermonters, genuine and those who "identify as Vermonters" can take credit for the steady as he goes, In full command, Silver Warrior, Bernie Sanders. I predicted he will win the nomination. I still believe that. Locally the steadily advancing Northern front of the Canadian free for all Gaz pipeline. They are carving their way to the Tree that they killed, in fact, many hardwoods. They chipped them, all. Come on down and look. I don't know what the answer is. Addie could only stay up in that tree so long. We warriors for the planet feel we have been here before. And hope we may stop the madness that supports fracking in #Alberta. Town of Monkton, Vermont has a website if you care to peruse the gas pipeline stuff. It all makes me sick.

Spring is being her usual stubborn self in the North Country. The Sunlight has been marvelous. Code word: Sunlight = Arctic air...brr.

May will start a little warmer and badly needed rain. That will wash the pollen down, and start the greening...A Spring delight here. Brown to Green. All for now. Have a Wonderful May. meg

March 2016

3.18.16

It's been awhile since I have posted in the land of sparse news.

There was a "Quintessential Town Meeting" in Monkton, Vermont that I have once again boycotted. That's part of the plan, you know, to steer the town business the way of the chosen few. I gave up, quit, starvation of my political desires. Forget it. I can't. It's hard to explain all this. You may think I am being whiny, intolerant. ignorant...

No, I am frustrated. How can one person one vote by transferred to the mass in the school auditorium? If you're still confused, that, too is part of the plan. No wonder I haven't written updates in the Chronicles.

Keep tuned...spring is on the way. meg

February 2016

2.10.2016

Still more or less an open winter with spotty snowfalls in the Champlain Valley. Some cold air on the way to take us below zero.

We are now on the shorter side of winter. The daylight hours changing subtly at first, then all at once you notice. The snow that is lacking reminds me of how reflective snow is. South of here, blizzards and hurricanes. Guess it's nice for us to have a break.

The election timeline is fascinating, for a few seconds. Then it falls into a monotony. The major media outlets rake in the dough...strange that donations go to elect people. Or that a woman (Carly Fiorina) was excluded from the New Hampshire debate because of polls that in New Hampshire, are grossly inaccurate. Women were not outraged at Carly's being stifled or Sarah Palin being called dumb. There should be so surprise when Hilary is squashed like in 2008.

Enough for now. Healing with Knight Salve #5, probiotics, sunshine.

January 2016

01.21.16

Every winter in Vermont is tough, just for different reasons. This year we were not hardened off, so to speak. All of the sudden it got cold, over and over. Eek. Finally got to this chore. The town as relates to me, We sent in forms for absentee ballots. Why do we have to do this every year? I am still experimenting with salves, and other healing regimens. Time is the factor we surely cannot control. Today, breaks of sunlight is warm in a south window.We fight the pipeline, the state brought a stacked deck to the public service board of Yes.

All for now.

December 2015

12.31.2015

Our unusually mild weather has turned to more typical cold, rain and snow.

The last day of 2015 finds me upright and breathing. Skin in the healing mode, aided by salves and soaps I have put together. Avoiding the mainstream products when I can.

We had a low keyed Christmas. Turning in early for New Year's. Hope everyone is safe tonight. Tomorrow is 2016.

That is an interesting number, isn't it? meg

12.7.2015

The Sun is lower in the sky, air is colder. We are enjoying the warmer December. There will be colder days ahead. Have been blogging, tweeting, and attempted to get my Samsung phone to coordinate with clouds, kindles, PC's and a rusty brain.

News came hard that a friend, my blogger mentor, Herrad Ford had passed away after an illness. Please say a prayer for her husband who is hurting right now. I am working on a tribute post. It will come to me when it is good and ready. Sleep helps with expression. Does that make sense? I am tired. Done for the day. Well, done except for watching Scorpion and NCIS-LA, 2 of my favorite shows right now.

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

“For each thorn, there's a rosebud...for each twilight — a dawn... for each trial — the strength to carry on,For each stormcloud — a rainbow... for each shadow — the sun... foreach parting — sweet memories when sorrow is done.”

Quotes

Not sure where I found these."Suppose there are no hypothetical situations.""When your horse dies, get off."my lawyer haiku:"Lawyering,Back and forth they go,Poor folks suffer, losing time,Property all gone."

Gadget

follow on twitter

Quotes

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear -- not absence of fear."--Mark Twain, 19th-century American writer

“Security is mostly a superstition. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outrightexposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”--Helen Keller, 20th-century American writer, lecturer, advocate

"The vision of justice is an eternal long march to the Promised Land of the good life for all.” Justin Dart, Jr.

Wisdom of Kahlil Gibran

"Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love."

Fear

"There is the fear that we shan't prove worthy in the eyes of someone who knows us at least as well as we know ourselves. That is the fear of God. And there is the fear of Man --fear that men won't understand us and we shall be cut of from them."
Robert Frost

Folks

In winter's tedious nights, sit by the fire With good old folks, and let them tell thee tales. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Quote(s) of the Millenium

"Man, like a tree in the cleft of a rock, gradually shapes his roots to his surroundings, and when the roots have grown to a certain size, can't be displaced without cutting at his life." Oliver Wendell Holmes"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Ready for Garth Hudson..from Levon Helm Studios twitter feed...

Music Links: Levon Helm Website & has the Midnight Ramble schedule

Official Blog of Mary E. Gerdt

for my content, all rights reserved 2009, 2010,2011,2012 ...

for links and other people's stuff, i will note that.

this blog is not profitable and content posted is

for the viewer's enjoyment.

Welcome

and feel free to move about the cabin. The ride may be bumpy. Some of this stuff is mine. Some stuff is other people's links-please read & enjoy, I work for free. Please do not rip off anything and sell it. Please do buy people's music listed here to support their music. If you do not want something posted here please tell me. Have a great day in the blogosphere. Mary